FOLIO
Each new year brings new artists to discover and fresh soundtracks for the seasons, and 2020 is set to be no different – as a new group of indie bands are rising through the ranks to reach the mainstream. So, which bands should you be looking out for in the indie charts or festival line-ups this year? Here are our top five picks…
Sports Team
This preppy band have an image that harks back to some of the UK’s ’00s favourites, such as The Kooks and The Maccabees. However, don’t let looks deceive you – this band are serving up something fresh in the genre of indie guitar rock. Over the past couple of years, word of mouth has continued to grow this band’s name and, in 2019, it paid off as they landed a headline gig at the O2 Kentish Town Forum. You’re likely to stumble upon Sports Team on the festival scene in 2020, as they already have Spain’s famous Mad Cool festival lined up for this summer.
Sea Girls
Sea Girls grew from the very pit of the UK’s live music scene, and soon garnered a reputation for their raw and edgy sound. 2019 saw them working hard at growing their music, releasing the singles Closer, Violet and Damage Done. Look out in 2020 for the release of their new EP, Under Exit Lights, which is sure to gain the band some more attention.
Inhaler
Inhaler is a Dublin-based band that is currently serving up guitar rock inspired by indie favourites such as The Strokes, Joy Division and Interpol. The frontman of this boy band is Elijah Hewson, who a little googling will tell you is the son of U2’s Bono. Clearly musical talent runs in the family, and you can catch them supporting some of the UK’s most popular artists, like Kasabian and Blossoms, this summer.
Easy Life
This Leicester-based band formed in 2017, and have spent recent years earning respect from some of the biggest names in the industry. Frontman Murray’s rambling and rhythmic lyrics can’t help but draw your attention, undoubtedly leaving you keen to hear more. So far, their past singles Earth, Nice Guys, Houseplants and Sangria have seen their music labelled as chilled-out and wholeheartedly millennial, so what does 2020 hold for this vibrant group of guys? They are currently touring their Junk Food mixtape, and their fans are excited to see what comes next.
APRE
APRE is a London-based indie band made up of Charlie Brown and Jules Konieczny. Both artists were working full time individually as musicians, before taking up APRE as a side project that soon grew into their main focus. Their music leans mostly towards alt-pop, offering an array of smart and catchy bops with provoking lyrics. Last year saw the band make their Glastonbury debut, cementing their status as a mainstay in the UK’s indie scene, and in 2020 they are only set to get bigger.
There are many more indie bands currently working hard across the country to break through into the charts. If you love indie music, why not hire one of these bands for your next event? Birthdays, weddings and anniversary celebrations are all events that could be made even more exciting by the presence of a local band. Hiring a band doesn’t have to be the huge expense you might imagine it to be either, as you can save money by hiring a fully self-contained band – with their own instruments, microphones and PA systems. Hiring a local band allows you to spot the latest up-and-coming talents for yourself, getting your own private performance before they hit the big time! 2020 is set to be another incredible year for indie music, so keep an eye out for new talent and your next summertime anthem.
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